Mr. Valentine’s 12th Grade English – Honors – Essay Prompt 1
Essay Question: How does Beowulf successfully exemplify (is an example of) the
characteristics of the Anglo-Saxon hero?
This is a question that you will answer with your paper, by writing an informative essay to a
general audience, focusing on three of the Anglo-Saxon traits that Beowulf demonstrates in the
poem. Before you start, you may wish to brainstorm by looking up / listing the things that
Anglo-Saxons valued first (pg 14 of EoL). Then, as you read Beowulf and see words / actions
that fit some of those qualities, jot down the page and line number to find them more easily when
you begin to write.
Please follow these directions:
1. Introduction
First
Second
Third
About ½ page
Start with a hook, then summarize the basic story line of Beowulf.
List the traits of the Anglo-Saxon hero in general.
End with this thesis statement (main point of your essay): Beowulf
exemplifies an Anglo-Saxon hero because he shows... (add
qualities here that you will examine in-depth in the body
paragraphs, in the order you will discuss them).
2. Body Paragraph 1
About ½ page, maybe longer with quotes.
First
Introduce the trait that you want to discuss first. Discuss how
Beowulf uses or shows this trait in the poems.
Second
Find a quote that supports, or goes with, the trait and what you
have said.
Third
Copy the quote exactly, using quote marks around it and the /
symbol between lines of poetry. At the end of the quote, put the
title in italics and the page and line number in parenthesis. Then
discuss what that quote means, how it fits.
Fourth
Repeat with a second quote about your 1st trait. Remember to end
the paragraph with your own words, not a quote. Comment on the
quotes you use. Tie them in to your discussion.
3. Body Paragraph 2
Same as above.
Follow the exact same instructions, but discuss the second trait you
have chosen.
4. Body Paragraph 3
Add a third body paragraph to discuss a third trait,
following the same style.
5. Conclusion
At least five sentences long.
First
Re-Cap the two-to-three traits that you already discussed.
Second
Mention that Beowulf also showed many other traits, and that is
why he was such a great hero.
Finally
End with a universal statement about heroes / reflection on what
you have said / some parting thoughts, etc…
Length / Format: 2 to 2.5 pages typed, 12pt font, black, Times New Roman, 1 inch margins,
double-spaced. Include a full header on the first page and a last name and page number on all
pages.
Due Date: Turn in the final draft on or by September 26th, 2014, typed and in the correct
format. Rough drafts must be brought with you to class September 22nd-23rd, 2014.
Mr. Valentine’s 12th Grade English – Honors – Essay Prompt 1
Paper 1 Rubric
1.
Addresses Prompt
Comments:
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2.
Introduction w/ Thesis
Comments:
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3.
Body Paragraphs
Comments:
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4.
Conclusion
Comments:
/10
5.
Organization
Comments:
/10
6.
Use of Examples w/ Quotes
Comments:
/10
7.
Presence of In-Text Citations
Comments:
/10
8.
Language
Comments:
/10
9.
Grammar / Mechanics
Comments:
/10
10.
Format
Comments:
/10